California Quinoa Salad

You have no idea how happy I am that I can make this at home now. I’ve been dreaming about this oil-free quinoa salad from Whole Foods ever since I brought a tiny little container of it home and devoured it in two seconds. I searched the internet for a copycat recipe but no luck… I saved the label from the container and decided to figure it out on my own!

Copycat Whole Foods “California Quinoa Salad”

This recipe makes plenty of leftovers to last you for a few (or more) days. Perfect for busy people who enjoy quick and easy leftovers. All of these measurements were estimations, just throw in the ingredients to suit your tastes. I really don’t think you could mess this up!

I’ve been eating this so fast, I haven’t had a chance to put it in a bowl and take a proper picture so please forgive me! Just trust me, you don’t need a fancy picture of this one… I PROMISE you will love it!!!

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I made this today, and I must say, it is amazing! I am so glad it is a big salad, I am going to send some to the station with my husband; they are trying to be plant strong and need some new ideas for recipes.

Hi! Just discovered your site a few days ago while searching for this recipe (after sampling it at WF), and so glad I did! my husband is a former paramedic (also a big, tall guy), I also have 2 small children, and about a year ago we started embracing a “real food” diet (eliminating processed foods as much as possible), and just recently I have been leaning toward a purely plant-based diet … so I am excited to browse and try many of your recipes! (may have to start with those garbanzo bean cookies!) … thanks!

Hi! I just discovered your site a few days ago while seacrhing for this recipe (after sampling it at WF!) and I am so glad I did! My husband is a former paramedic (also a big, tall guy), I have 2 small children, and about a year ago we started juicing & embracing a “real food” diet (eliminating processed foods one by one, as much as possible), and just recently I have been leaning toward a purely plant-based diet, so I am very excited to explore your recipes and try some out! I may have to start with those chocolate and peanut butter cookie bites! thanks!

Adding my thanks for an awesome website. Doing ETL and this is great! I made the salad tonight, adding a bunch of chopped kale, which I dropped into the pressure cooker with the quinoa and mushroom broth.
SO GOOD!

Interestingly enough, my Whole Foods (as per the ingredient list on the glass case) has no coconut listed….. nor do I taste any hint of coconut in the salad I buy. Everything else seems on the mark. I wonder if regionally they change it up a bit? Of note: Im IN California, LOL

Just came from WF in Naperville, IL, having devoured my second purchase of this salad and determined to recreate this recipe. Thanks for saving me the trouble! I happened to inquire about the coconut, which I noticed on top of the salad but hadn’t been aware of the previous time. The staff member told me it’s just a dusting on top.

I’m so glad I found your recipe. Like yourself, I tried this salad at WF a couple weeks ago and was determined to find the recipe. I tried a different recipe that asked for olive oil and red wine vinegar and it just wasn’t the same. I gotta mow through the remainder of that salad, but I can’t wait to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing!